Top Ten Things You Should Look For In A NJ Realtor
September 29th, 2007 Categories: Top Ten
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Archive for September, 2007
Top Ten Reasons To Use Sarah Bandy As Your Realtor
1. Sarah is a Keller Williams agent.
(That means: She knows Real Estate Inside and Out)
2. Sarah Services Many Counties In N.J.
(That means: She can help you find your dream home)
3. Sarah Can Help In Every Step of the Home Buying/Selling Process.
(That means: She cares about her clients)
4. Sarah Makes Finding a Home enjoyable and Easy.
(That means: She’s prepared, competent and all around great girl)
5. Sarah has Real Estate Investors as Clients.
(That means: She can help you make lots of $$$ MONEY)
6. Sarah Returns All of her Calls.
(That means: She’s a workaholic)
7. Sarah Prides Herself on Her Professionalism and Integrity.
(That means: She will work hard to NEVER let you down)
8. Sarah Has a Website To Answer Most of Your Real Estate Questions.
(That means: She cares about keeping her clients informed)
9. Sarah Loves Her Job.
(That means: She will always go over and beyond the call of duty)
10. Sarah Has A Top Dog Named Tyler, OK Tinkerbell too.
(That Means: Nothing, just felt like sharing)
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Lately we have been having some beautiful weather so I decided to tag along as Sarah went on a listing appointment in the Monmouth County area. It was a sunny day and I could roam free in the front yard, no big deal, right?….WRONG!
A small stick poking through the earth in the front yard of the house caught my attention. Was there a Bone buried under there? How lucky can a dog be? I vigorously began to dig deeper when I felt a tug on my leash. I had been caught in the act! Sarah and the homeowner chuckled at my dirt filled snout. The bone in mouth had obviously given me away.
The homeowner proceeded to tell Sarah that what I had unearthed was not a bone which I kind of knew after the first bite but anyway, what I had 
uncovered was a statue of St. Joseph.
The homeowner was preparing her home to sell by seeking help from some divine intervention.
The homeowner had been told by a friend that burying St. Joseph upside down in the yard would help bring a quick offer.
This is not such a far-fetched idea as some may think, although the act of burying a statue of a saint for a home sale would most likely be viewed as superstitious to most, the idea began hundreds of years ago in Europe when Nuns prayed to St. Joseph when land to build convents was scarce. They would bury their St. Joseph medals in the ground which in today’s age have turned into statue’s.
Real Estate agents often hear of this tradition but whether it works or doesn’t only home sellers can say. As for this client, she has a spot of honor waiting for St. Joseph in her new home.
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Way to go Marlboro!
The votes are in and Marlboro New Jersey was ranked 
Number 33 out of the “100 Best Places Live” by Money Magazine.The list was made up of the top 100 towns that offered the best of the following:
- Economic Opportunities
- Good Schools
- Safe Streets
- Sense of Community
- Things to do
With its close proximity to the Jersey Shore and other recreational and business oriented places such as New Brunswick and Manhattan, Marlboro has become the town of choice for many families. The median home price in Marlboro is $557,186.
We are very proud of this recognition and look forward to personally spotlighting this community in the very near future.
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So, You want to sell your home and you want to do it without the assistance of a Realtor. Great! Then I am here to help you accomplish that goal. Why, you might ask would I want to do that?
As part of the many services that The Bandy Group provides, one is keeping you informed on how the process of Real Estate works. I would like to make your home selling experience a quick and hassle free one. In the event that you do decide NOT to sell your home yourself, then all I ask is to have the opportunity to interview for the job of being your Realtor of Choice.
Top Ten To Selling On Your Own:
1. Price
This is the most crucial step in the entire process. You need to set the price of your home so that it is not too high and not too low. One thing I recommend is that you look at similar homes that have sold recently in your neighborhood.
2. Legal Documents
Make sure that you have all the forms that a buyer will need to sign so that you are legally covered.
3. First Impressions
House must be in tip top order. A clean home is a plus +. Be sure to pay attention to details. Make all necessary repairs.
4. Marketing
Aside from the “For Sale Sign” that will grace your front lawn, you need to be instrumental in spreading the word about this AMAZING home that’s for sale. Make sure you are available to show your home at the convenience of the buyers and try to always be available to answer calls that will be coming in from qualified leads who will need the information yesterday.
5. Stay Positive
When showing your home do not let your personal feelings get in the way. If a prospective buyers points out something that they don’t like in the home, remain calm, point out the positive instead of getting angry.
6. Pre-Screen Buyers
There will be many looky loo’s. Do not spend your precious time and energy on people who can not afford to buy your home. Make sure to find out how financially stable they are and if they have excellent credit.
7. The Art of Negotiating
You will need to have the skills to be able to handle price reductions, credits for repairs, home inspection issues, closing date, etc… I would suggest that you have a Real Estate Attorney to help examine these or any issues that may arise in the contract phase of the home selling process.
8. Sell First
I would recommend that you solidify the deal with your buyer prior to purchasing a new home. I have seen some deals fall apart for lack of funding or buyers remorse on behalf of the buyer and the seller has already gone forward with a contract for purchase and is obligated to pay two mortgages. Make sure that you know up-front what your getting yourself into.
9. Staging
Vacant homes are simply not as appealing as furnished ones. If your home is vacant, buyers might see this as an opportunity to significantly get a price reduction from you. Don’t give them a reason to think that you need to sell FAST. If the home is vacant then you might want to look into hiring a stager to help set the mood for a quick and profitable sale.
10. Know When to Hire A Realtor
You must first know why it is that you decided to sell on your own. These reasons will be the stepping stones that will either keep you on your path to being a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) or set you in search of a Real Estate Agent. Your determining factors could be one or all of the following:
- You need to NET a certain amount
- You have or don’t have great Negotiating skills
- You have or don’t have coordination
- You have or don’t have attention to detail
- You have or don’t have time to sell the home at the best price
- You have or don’t have the confidence to handle a home sale
Remember, I am more than willing to meet with you to discuss how this process works and how I can help making your home selling experience a positive one.
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It’s official, Thompson Park Day is set for Sunday, October 14th 2007.
Aside from all fun games that will be held at the park, you and your canine will have the opportunity to register for the 4th Annual Strut Your Mutt Doggie Costume Contest.
The Friends of the Parks encourages you to bring your best doggie friend dressed for a chance to win excellent prizes!
You can pre-register by down loading a registration form from their actual website at www.friendsofmonmouthcountyparks.com, and click“ Upcoming Events”.
This fun filled family event (11am-5pm) will include seasonal and other activities that will be sure to please the entire family, here’s a sneak peak at some of the fun:
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Pumpkin Painting
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Wagon Rides
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Scarecrow Contest
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Amazing Maize Maze
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Climbing Wall
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Crafts
-
Food
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Live Entertainment
Children are encouraged to come in costume too and participate in the 3:45pm costume parade.
When you go, make sure to be on the look out for me and my stylish costume, as for Sarah, well, we might just have to pull her off the rock climbing wall. Hope to see you there!
For more information or directions to the park, call 732.842.4000
Tags: Lincroft,+NJ, Thompson+Park, Fall+Festival, Dog+Costume
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The Nicest Colts Neck, NJ Home Your Money Can’t Buy
September 10th, 2007 Categories: Dog House Of The Month, Real Estate News
Beware!!! This Home Is Not For Sale
Then Why is it being featured on a Real Estate Blog you might ask? Good question.
As a Realtor, Sarah often comes across homes that grab her attention. Although they may not be for sale, she still likes them and as such would like to have the opportunity to share them with you.
Each month We will showcase the “Dog House of The Month”. One that you might even be familiar with or one where you may even be the owners neighbor. If you are, please send us a shout out or a bark out as I say, either way we would love to hear from you. Enjoy the pictures.
Green Hill Estates is located in Colts Neck New Jersey. It is an 18- Hole Golf Course community featuring 20 homes in the development.
The double wing staircase welcomes all visitors to this over 7,000 square foot home.
The Great Room is surrounded by walls of windows allowing the sun to flow in and give the room a warm and inviting feeling. Walking out onto the patio from the Great Room is a breathtaking view of the golf course.
No need to call a decorator. The plants are the works of art in this room. The conservatory houses plants which range from the normal to the exotic.
A Gorgeous Kitchen with state of the art appliances, what’s not to love?This is truly a kitchen for someone that has a passion for cooking.
These are just some of the highlights of this exquisite home. If you would like any more information or would like your home featured please feel free to contact me personally.
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Five Tips To Feng Shui Your Monmouth County Home to Sold
September 7th, 2007 Categories: Seller Secrets
By a show of paws who knows what Feng Shui is?
Feng Shui literally translates from the Chinese to “Wind and Water”. It is part of an ancient Chinese philosophy of nature. 
In the art of Feng Shui, people live in harmony with the environment rather than against.
The flow of ch’i (good energy) is what you humans must try to give proper direction to for optimal health, prosperity, love, etc…
With Feng Shui becoming popular with many, including such famous names as Donald Trump, Sarah decided to go in search of the truth vs. superstition.
Could Feng Shui be used to sell a doggie house? I tagged along as Sarah interviewed Kitty a feng shui consultant located in East Brunswick, NJ.
Kitty informed us that Feng Shui is not a a religion and that it has nothing to do with superstition. Feng Shui is the study of ENERGY and how that energy impacts our lives, good or bad.
Good Ch’i will help improve relationships, finances, health, careers and yes even help sell a home. In real estate, low Ch’i equals = NO SALE!
A feng shui expert can show a homeowner step by step how to increase the visual appeal of a property to attract buyers. With proper placement of items a good flow of energy(ch’i) will increase contract activity.
Here are some quick Feng Shui tips:
1. Get Rid of Clutter:
Clutter is a sign of stagnant energy. Put things away in their proper place.
2. Keep Toilet Seats Down and Bathroom Doors Closed
You are preventing ch’i and your money from going down the drain
3. Paint Your Front Door.
Red is a Ch’i enhancing color.
4. Trim Bushes and Shrubs
Keep your home looking neat.
5. Turn On Lights
Illuminate an unused room for at least ten minutes each day to activate ch’i
Bottom Line Pup and Puppettes, if your looking to sell your dog house then out smart the competition by Feng Shuiing your way to SOLD!
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Hi! I'm Tyler.
I'm always sitting under my Mom's desk as she does her Real Estate work.
No one knows who I am so I thought I'd create this blog and introduce myself.
I am a 4 year old Pomeranian. I share my home with my sister Tinkerbell, who happens to be a 3 year old T.Cup Pomeranian.
T.Cup is just a fancy term for “midget”. Tinkerbell is 3lbs; full grown; I know, I know, how cute, right?
I live in Colts Neck New Jersey and my mom is Sarah Bandy, a Real Estate agent who works for Better Homes Realty, the Colts Neck office.
Please check in often as I will be blogging all about the upcoming news and life underneath my Mom's desk! Plus Sarah herself and some contributing writers will also be hanging around to talk Real Estate. Hope to hear from you soon.
BARK BARK!
